CARL STONEHEWER, the Denton-based England star, is poised to quit as the row over his move to Belle Vue enters its fourth month.

Stonehewer, aged 30, is contracted to Premier League Workington but is wanted by the Aces under a new rule that allows riders to double up with Elite League clubs.

He has become increasingly frustrated by the inability of the clubs to agree terms while the situation has been become further complicated with Belle Vue's discovery that he would be unavailable for at least 12 meetings.

Stonehewer has yet to sign a contract with either club and time is getting tight with the season starting in mid March.

His patience has been stretched further with a warning from Aces' boss John Perrin that he may look elsewhere to solve the problem.

Stonehewer feels Workington must take most of the blame, saying: "All this has been over ??500. My dad offered to pay it but Workington said it would be better if the promoters' association sorted it out.

"I can understand the principle with John Perrin, but I can't understand Workington's principles. They didn't get a penny when I was riding in the World championship Grand Prix and in Poland."

Stonehewer is out of the Grand Prix and has turned his back on Polish racing. He wants to spend more time with his family and the chance to pick up extra meetings at Belle Vue was superb.

He said: "This has gone on far too much and I've been ready to walk away. It's starting to affect my family, as well as myself."